29 / Her Master's Voice / Nina Conti

Her Master's Voice is such a unique little documentary. Made by ventriloquist Nina Conti, it's an intensely personal film that tells the story of her trying to deal with not only the death of her mentor but also whether she really wants to be a ventriloquist anymore. The way she deals with these issues is so fascinating though. The film feels less of a documentary about ventriloquism and more a deep unflinching examination of an artists inner minds and feelings. It's amazing watching as she has conversations with her puppets. You get a real glimpse into her internal monologue, but through these puppets. They have so much live and seem to represent so many different facets of personality. She's constantly being questioned by them and using them as the surrogate to not only allow her to deal with these issues, but allow us to see it, and it's like nothing I've ever seen before.There is one particular scene in Her Master's Voice where Nina lays in bed operating the puppet of her mentor Ken (pictured in the poster) that is so revealing and moving I'm tearing up now just thinking about it. I realise I'm gushing, but I was just so surprised by this film and am just completely in love with it.